The beginning of the end...

OK, first post, here are the ground rules:

1. This is not a personal blog, so don't expect to hear what I had for lunch or what I did last night. I may mention things, but only to make a point
2. This is more for me than for anyone who reads it; consider it memoirs that are not yet memoirs
3. If I offend anyone, I don't mean to, so don't come complaining to me about it

Alright, now we're good, down to business. I don't know if anyone watched the Republican debate Saturday night, but I did ('cause I'm so cool like that). It was sponsored by YouTube, so all questions were videos submitted by people from around the country. Heavy-hitters like McCain, Guliani, Romney, Thompson, and Paul were there, and some other guys I haven't heard of. One of the questions was this.

I found it very interesting to hear their responses to this, and props to the guy who sent in the video. Huckabee obviously is an indoctrinated person, but thankfully he doesn't take it word-for-word literally. His line about not understanding some parts because he's "not supposed to" is another noteworthy one, and one I myself can't agree with. The Bible is a highly influential historical document, as is the Torah, the Qu'ran, the Upanishads, etc. But we have to remember these were written by people; even if they were putting down the word of God, could not the author's interpretation be wrong? Could we be living by a code that was altered (knowingly or not) by some poor sap who mistook what this great force was saying? History is written by the victors, the ones who gained power, often through unsavory means. Are these the people we should listen to blindly, without finding our own truth? This is where I think many of these candidates need to reconsider.

My personal opinion is one of uncertainty; I do not know if there is a God, because there is no proof one way or the other. You can choose to believe in one, but even then, your doctrine comes from an external place, a place beyond your own feelings where others can influence you. You are susceptible to becoming a pawn if you do not think for yourself; just ask the 9/11 hijackers. I think the only true faith comes from within, where you make a choice, either you are good or evil. Dogma is a powerful tool that can manipulate great numbers of people, but the most important consideration is the motives behind that control. Are you a sword of war or a branch of peace? So many people, especially our politicians, lack the intimate connection that gives us what we call "humanity". They can order an attack without ever thinking of the consequences; but I wonder, if they were forced to look each and every victim in the eye before they die, would they give the order?

I think not.